Skip to main content
PMC home page
Clinical Microbiology Reviews logoLink to Clinical Microbiology Reviews
. 1988 Jan;1(1):19–26. doi: 10.1128/cmr.1.1.19

Serum bactericidal test.

C W Stratton 1
PMCID: PMC358026  PMID: 3060242

Abstract

The serum bactericidal test represents one of the few in vitro tests performed in the clinical microbiology laboratory that combines the interaction of the pathogen, the antimicrobial agent, and the patient. Although the use of such a test antedates the antimicrobial era, its performance, results, and interpretation have been subject to question and controversy. Much of the confusion concerning the serum bactericidal test can be avoided by an understanding of the various factors which influence bactericidal testing. In addition, the methodologic aspects of the serum bactericidal test have recently been addressed and should place this test on firmer ground. New information on the clinical utility of this test is becoming available; additional data are needed to establish more clearly the usefulness of the serum bactericidal test in specific infections. Such clinical trials from multiple centers will enable firmer recommendations for the future use of the serum bactericidal test.

Full text

PDF
19

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Ampel N. M., Keating M. H., Moon-McDermott L., Peter G., Zinner S. H. Comparison of tube dilution and microtitre methods for the detection of antibiotic tolerance in strains of Staphylococcus aureus. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1984 May;13(5):417–421. doi: 10.1093/jac/13.5.417. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Archer G. L., Tenenbaum M. J., Haywood H. B., 3rd Rifampin therapy of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Use in infections from indwelling artificial devices. JAMA. 1978 Aug 25;240(8):751–753. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Archer G., Fekety F. R., Jr Experimental endocarditis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. II. Therapy with carbenicillin and gentamicin. J Infect Dis. 1977 Sep;136(3):327–335. doi: 10.1093/infdis/136.3.327. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Bakker-Woudenberg I. A., van den Berg J. C., Vree T. B., Baars A. M., Michel M. F. Relevance of serum protein binding of cefoxitin and cefazolin to their activities against Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1985 Nov;28(5):654–659. doi: 10.1128/aac.28.5.654. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Barriere S. L., Ely E., Kapusnik J. E., Gambertoglio J. G. Analysis of a new method for assessing activity of combinations of antimicrobials: area under the bactericidal activity curve. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1985 Jul;16(1):49–59. doi: 10.1093/jac/16.1.49. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Barriere S. L., Ozasa D. C., Mordenti J. Assessment of serum bactericidal activity after administration of cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, and moxalactam to healthy subjects. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1985 Jul;28(1):55–57. doi: 10.1128/aac.28.1.55. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Barry A. L., Badal R. E., Hawkinson R. W. Influence of inoculum growth phase on microdilution susceptibility tests. J Clin Microbiol. 1983 Sep;18(3):645–651. doi: 10.1128/jcm.18.3.645-651.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Beckwith D. G., Guidon P. T., Jr Development of five-hour radiometric serum antibacterial assay for gram-positive cocci. J Nucl Med. 1981 Mar;22(3):274–278. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Bryan C. S., Marney S. R., Jr, Alford R. H., Bryant R. E. Gram-negative bacillary endocarditis. Interpretation of the serum bactericial test. Am J Med. 1975 Feb;58(2):209–215. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(75)90571-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Chambers H. F., Mills J., Drake T. A., Sande M. A. Failure of a once-daily regimen of cefonicid for treatment of endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus. Rev Infect Dis. 1984 Nov-Dec;6 (Suppl 4):S870–S874. doi: 10.1093/clinids/6.supplement_4.s870. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Chamovitz B., Bryant R. E., Gilbert D. N., Hartstein A. I. Prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis. Development of rifampin resistance during vancomycin and rifampin therapy. JAMA. 1985 May 17;253(19):2867–2868. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Coleman D. L., Horwitz R. I., Andriole V. T. Association between serum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations and therapeutic outcome in bacterial endocarditis. Am J Med. 1982 Aug;73(2):260–267. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(82)90188-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. D'Antonio R. G., Camargo E. E., Gedra T., Wagner H. N., Jr, Charache P. Rapid radiometric serum test for antibiotic activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1982 Feb;21(2):236–240. doi: 10.1128/aac.21.2.236. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Dutcher B. S., Reynard A. M., Beck M. E., Cunningham R. K. Potentiation of antibiotic bactericidal activity by normal human serum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1978 May;13(5):820–826. doi: 10.1128/aac.13.5.820. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Fass R. J. Laboratory tests for defining bactericidal activity as predictors of antibiotic efficacy in the treatment of endocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus in rabbits. J Infect Dis. 1984 Jun;149(6):904–912. doi: 10.1093/infdis/149.6.904. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. GOULD J. C. The laboratory control of antibiotic therapy. Br Med Bull. 1960 Jan;16:29–34. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a069787. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Gerber A. U., Craig W. A. Aminoglycoside-selected subpopulations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: characterization and virulence in normal and leukopenic mice. J Lab Clin Med. 1982 Nov;100(5):671–681. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Gilbert D. N., Kutscher E., Ireland P., Barnett J. A., Sanford J. P. Effect of the concentrations of magnesium and calcium on the in-vitro susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to gentamicin. J Infect Dis. 1971 Dec;124 (Suppl):S37–S45. doi: 10.1093/infdis/124.supplement_1.s37. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Glew R. H., Moellering R. C., Jr Effect of protein binding on the activity of penicillins in combination with gentamicin against enterococci. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979 Jan;15(1):87–92. doi: 10.1128/aac.15.1.87. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Glynn A. A., Milne C. M. A kinetic study of the bacteriolytic and bactericidal action of human serum. Immunology. 1967 Jun;12(6):639–653. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Greenwood D. In vitro veritas? Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and their clinical relevance. J Infect Dis. 1981 Oct;144(4):380–385. doi: 10.1093/infdis/144.4.380. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Greenwood D., O'Grady F. Trimodal response of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis to penicillins. Nature. 1970 Oct 31;228(5270):457–458. doi: 10.1038/228457a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Greenwood D. Phenotypic resistance to antimicrobial agents. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1985 Jun;15(6):653–655. doi: 10.1093/jac/15.6.653. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Gristina A. G., Costerton J. W. Bacterial adherence and the glycocalyx and their role in musculoskeletal infection. Orthop Clin North Am. 1984 Jul;15(3):517–535. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Gwynn M. N., Webb T. L., Rolinson G. N. Regrowth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria after the bactericidal action of carbenicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics. J Infect Dis. 1981 Sep;144(3):263–269. doi: 10.1093/infdis/144.3.263. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. HAVARD C. W., GARROD L. P., WATERWORTH P. M. Deaf or dead? A case of subacute bacterial endocarditis treated with penicillin and neomycin. Br Med J. 1959 Mar 14;1(5123):688–689. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5123.688. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Handwerger S., Tomasz A. Antibiotic tolerance among clinical isolates of bacteria. Rev Infect Dis. 1985 May-Jun;7(3):368–386. doi: 10.1093/clinids/7.3.368. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Hieber J. P., Nelson J. D. A pharmacologic evaluation of penicillin in children with purulent meningitis. N Engl J Med. 1977 Aug 25;297(8):410–413. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197708252970802. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Ishida K., Guze P. A., Kalmanson G. M., Albrandt K., Guze L. B. Variables in demonstrating methicillin tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus strains. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1982 Apr;21(4):688–690. doi: 10.1128/aac.21.4.688. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Jordan G. W., Kawachi M. M. Analysis of serum bactericidal activity in endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and other bacterial infections. Medicine (Baltimore) 1981 Jan;60(1):49–61. doi: 10.1097/00005792-198101000-00005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Kim K. S., Anthony B. F. Importance of bacterial growth phase in determining minimal bactericidal concentrations of penicillin and methicillin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1981 Jun;19(6):1075–1077. doi: 10.1128/aac.19.6.1075. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Kim K. S., Yoshimori R. N., Imagawa D. T., Anthony B. F. Importance of medium in demonstrating penicillin tolerance by group B streptococci. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979 Aug;16(2):214–216. doi: 10.1128/aac.16.2.214. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. King T. C., Schlessinger D., Krogstad D. J. The assessment of antimicrobial combinations. Rev Infect Dis. 1981 May-Jun;3(3):627–633. doi: 10.1093/clinids/3.3.627. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Klastersky J., Daneau D., Swings G., Weerts D. Antibacterial activity in serum and urine as a therapeutic guide in bacterial infections. J Infect Dis. 1974 Feb;129(2):187–193. doi: 10.1093/infdis/129.2.187. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Klastersky J., Meunier-Carpentier F., Prevost J. M. Significance of antimicrobial synergism for the outcome of gram negative sepsis. Am J Med Sci. 1977 Mar-Apr;273(2):157–167. doi: 10.1097/00000441-197703000-00005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Kolyvas E., Ahronheim G., Marks M. I., Gledhill R., Owen H., Rosenthall L. Oral antibiotic therapy of skeletal infections in children. Pediatrics. 1980 May;65(5):867–871. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Layte S., Harris P., Rolinson G. N. Factors affecting the apparent regrowth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa following exposure to bactericidal concentrations of carbenicillin. Chemotherapy. 1984;30(1):26–30. doi: 10.1159/000238240. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Marcon M. J., Bartlett R. C. Laboratory evaluation of the serum dilution test in serious staphylococcal infection. Am J Clin Pathol. 1983 Aug;80(2):176–181. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/80.2.176. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Mayhall C. G., Medoff G., Marr J. J. Variation in the susceptibility of strains of Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin, cephalothin, and gentamicin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1976 Oct;10(4):707–712. doi: 10.1128/aac.10.4.707. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Merrikin D. J., Briant J., Rolinson G. N. Effect of protein binding on antibiotic activity in vivo. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1983 Mar;11(3):233–238. doi: 10.1093/jac/11.3.233. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Musher D. M., Fletcher T. Tolerant Staphylococcus aureus causing vertebral osteomyelitis. Arch Intern Med. 1982 Mar;142(3):632–634. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Nelson R. E., Washington J. A., 2nd Paradoxic and tolerant effects of moxalactam on Staphylococcus aureus. J Infect Dis. 1981 Aug;144(2):178–178. doi: 10.1093/infdis/144.2.178. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Neu H. C. Changing patterns of hospital infections: implications for therapy. Changing mechanisms of bacterial resistance. Am J Med. 1984 Jul 31;77(1B):11–23. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Nishino T., Nakazawa S. Bacteriological study on effects of beta-lactam group antibiotics in high concentrations. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1976 Jun;9(6):1033–1042. doi: 10.1128/aac.9.6.1033. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Norden C. W., Wentzel H., Keleti E. Comparison of techniques for measurement of in vitro antibiotic synergism. J Infect Dis. 1979 Oct;140(4):629–633. doi: 10.1093/infdis/140.4.629. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. O'Callaghan C. H. Irreversible effects of serum proteins on beta-lactam antibiotics. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1978 Apr;13(4):628–633. doi: 10.1128/aac.13.4.628. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Parker R. H., Schmid F. R. Antibacterial activity of synovial fluid during therapy of septic arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1971 Jan-Feb;14(1):96–104. doi: 10.1002/art.1780140112. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Pearson R. D., Steigbigel R. T., Davis H. T., Chapman S. W. Method of reliable determination of minimal lethal antibiotic concentrations. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1980 Nov;18(5):699–708. doi: 10.1128/aac.18.5.699. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Pelletier L. L., Jr Lack of reproducibility of macrodilution MBCs for Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1984 Dec;26(6):815–818. doi: 10.1128/aac.26.6.815. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Peterson L. R., Gerding D. N., Hall W. H., Schierl E. A. Medium-dependent variation in bactericidal activity of antibiotics against susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1978 Apr;13(4):665–668. doi: 10.1128/aac.13.4.665. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Pien F. D., Vosti K. L. Variation in performance of the serum bactericidal test. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1974 Sep;6(3):330–333. doi: 10.1128/aac.6.3.330. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Pien F. D., Williams R. D., Vosti K. L. Comparison of broth and human serum as the diluent in the serum bactericidal test. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1975 Jan;7(1):113–114. doi: 10.1128/aac.7.1.113. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Pratt D. S., Tenney J. H., Bjork C. M., Reller L. B. Successful treatment of Brucella melitensis end-carditis. Am J Med. 1978 May;64(5):897–900. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(78)90535-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Prober C. G., Dougherty S. S., Vosti K. L., Yeager A. S. Comparison of a micromethod for performance of the serum bactericidal test with the standard tube dilution method. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979 Jul;16(1):46–48. doi: 10.1128/aac.16.1.46. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Prober C. G., Yeager A. S. Use of the serum bactericidal titer to assess the adequacy of oral antibiotic therapy in the treatment of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis. J Pediatr. 1979 Jul;95(1):131–135. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(79)80106-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Rahal J. J., Jr Antibiotic combinations: the clinical relevance of synergy and antagonism. Medicine (Baltimore) 1978 Mar;57(2):179–195. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Reimer L. G., Stratton C. W., Reller L. B. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 44 antimicrobial agents against three standard control strains in broth with and without human serum. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1981 Jun;19(6):1050–1055. doi: 10.1128/aac.19.6.1050. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  58. Reller L. B. Endocarditis caused by Bacillus subtilis. Am J Clin Pathol. 1973 Nov;60(5):714–718. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/60.5.714. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Reller L. B., Maddoux G. L., Eckman M. R., Pappas G. Bacterial endocarditis caused by Oerskovia turbata. Ann Intern Med. 1975 Nov;83(5):664–666. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-83-5-664. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Reller L. B., Stratton C. W. Serum dilution test for bactericidal activity. II. Standardization and correlation with antimicrobial assays and susceptibility tests. J Infect Dis. 1977 Aug;136(2):196–204. doi: 10.1093/infdis/136.2.196. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. Reller L. B. The serum bactericidal test. Rev Infect Dis. 1986 Sep-Oct;8(5):803–808. doi: 10.1093/clinids/8.5.803. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  62. Robinson A., Bartlett R. C., Mazens M. F. Antimicrobial synergy testing based on antibiotic levels, minimal bactericidal concentration, and serum bactericidal activity. Am J Clin Pathol. 1985 Sep;84(3):328–333. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/84.3.328. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  63. Rolinson G. N., Sutherland R. The binding of antibiotics to serum proteins. Br J Pharmacol Chemother. 1965 Dec;25(3):638–650. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1965.tb01788.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  64. Rolinson G. N. The significance of protein binding of antibiotics in antibacterial chemotherapy. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1980 May;6(3):311–317. doi: 10.1093/jac/6.3.311. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  65. Sanders S. J., Gavan T. L., Senturia J. B., Smeby R. R. Serum bactericidal testing with the Autobac system. J Clin Microbiol. 1986 Sep;24(3):435–439. doi: 10.1128/jcm.24.3.435-439.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  66. Savitch C. B., Barry A. L., Hoeprich P. D. Infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus bovis resistant to the lethal effect of penicillin G. Arch Intern Med. 1978 Jun;138(6):931–934. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  67. Sculier J. P., Klastersky J. Significance of serum bactericidal activity in gram-negative bacillary bacteremia in patients with and without granulocytopenia. Am J Med. 1984 Mar;76(3):429–435. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(84)90662-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  68. Shanholtzer C. J., Peterson L. R., Mohn M. L., Moody J. A., Gerding D. N. MBCs for Staphylococcus aureus as determined by macrodilution and microdilution techniques. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1984 Aug;26(2):214–219. doi: 10.1128/aac.26.2.214. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  69. Standiford H. C., Drusano G. L., Fitzpatrick B., Tatem B., Schimpff S. C. Bactericidal activity of ceftazidime in serum compared with that of ticarcillin combined with amikacin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1984 Sep;26(3):339–342. doi: 10.1128/aac.26.3.339. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  70. Storch G. A., Krogstad D. J. Antibiotic-induced lysis of enterococci. J Clin Invest. 1981 Sep;68(3):639–645. doi: 10.1172/JCI110298. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  71. Stratton C. W., Evans M. E., Burch D. J., Hawley H. B., Horsman T. A., Tu K. K., Reller L. B. Effect of human serum on inhibition of growth of Staphylococcus aureus by antimicrobial agents. Eur J Clin Microbiol. 1986 Jun;5(3):351–353. doi: 10.1007/BF02017797. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  72. Stratton C. W., Reller L. B. Serum dilution test for bactericidal activity. I. Selection of a physiologic diluent. J Infect Dis. 1977 Aug;136(2):187–195. doi: 10.1093/infdis/136.2.187. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  73. Stratton C. W. Susceptibility testing revisited. Prog Clin Pathol. 1984;9:65–100. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  74. Stratton C. W., Weinstein M. P., Reller L. B. Correlation of serum bactericidal activity with antimicrobial agent level and minimal bactericidal concentration. J Infect Dis. 1982 Feb;145(2):160–168. doi: 10.1093/infdis/145.2.160. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  75. Syriopoulou V. P., Scheifele D. W., Sack C. M., Smith A. L. Effect of inoculum size on the susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae b to beta-lactam antibiotics. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979 Oct;16(4):510–513. doi: 10.1128/aac.16.4.510. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  76. Taylor P. C., Schoenknecht F. D., Sherris J. C., Linner E. C. Determination of minimum bactericidal concentrations of oxacillin for Staphylococcus aureus: influence and significance of technical factors. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1983 Jan;23(1):142–150. doi: 10.1128/aac.23.1.142. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  77. Tetzlaff T. R., McCracken G. H., Jr, Nelson J. D. Oral antibiotic therapy for skeletal infections of children. II. Therapy of osteomyelitis and suppurative arthritis. J Pediatr. 1978 Mar;92(3):485–490. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(78)80455-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  78. Tight R. R. Ampicillin therapy of experimental enterococcal endocarditis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1980 Aug;18(2):307–310. doi: 10.1128/aac.18.2.307. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  79. Tilton R. C., Lieberman L., Gerlach E. H. Microdilution antibiotic susceptibility test: examination of certain variables. Appl Microbiol. 1973 Nov;26(5):658–665. doi: 10.1128/am.26.5.658-665.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  80. Todd J. K., Tolliver P. Subtraction serum bactericidal assay: a method for estimating in vivo effects of antibiotic combinations. J Infect Dis. 1979 Nov;140(5):807–810. doi: 10.1093/infdis/140.5.807. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  81. Tomasz A., Albino A., Zanati E. Multiple antibiotic resistance in a bacterium with suppressed autolytic system. Nature. 1970 Jul 11;227(5254):138–140. doi: 10.1038/227138a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  82. Tuomanen E. I., Powell K. R., Marks M. I., Laferriere C. I., Altmiller D. H., Sack C. M., Smith A. L. Oral chloramphenicol in the treatment of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. J Pediatr. 1981 Dec;99(6):968–974. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(81)80035-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  83. Tuomanen E., Cozens R., Tosch W., Zak O., Tomasz A. The rate of killing of Escherichia coli by beta-lactam antibiotics is strictly proportional to the rate of bacterial growth. J Gen Microbiol. 1986 May;132(5):1297–1304. doi: 10.1099/00221287-132-5-1297. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  84. Tuomanen E., Durack D. T., Tomasz A. Antibiotic tolerance among clinical isolates of bacteria. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1986 Oct;30(4):521–527. doi: 10.1128/aac.30.4.521. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  85. Van Laethem Y., Lagast H., Klastersky J. Serum bactericidal activity of ceftazidime and cefoperazone alone or in combination with amikacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1983 Mar;23(3):435–439. doi: 10.1128/aac.23.3.435. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  86. Van der Auwera P., Klastersky J. Bactericidal activity and killing rate of serum in volunteers receiving teicoplanin alone or in combination with oral or intravenous rifampin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1987 Jul;31(7):1002–1005. doi: 10.1128/aac.31.7.1002. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  87. Van der Auwera P., Klastersky J., Lieppe S., Husson M., Lauzon D., Lopez A. P. Bactericidal activity and killing rate of serum from volunteers receiving pefloxacin alone or in combination with amikacin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1986 Feb;29(2):230–234. doi: 10.1128/aac.29.2.230. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  88. Van der Auwera P., Klastersky J. Serum bactericidal activity and postantibiotic effect in serum of patients with urinary tract infection receiving high-dose amikacin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1987 Jul;31(7):1061–1068. doi: 10.1128/aac.31.7.1061. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  89. Venglarcik J. S., 3rd, Blair L. L., Dunkle L. M. pH-dependent oxacillin tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1983 Feb;23(2):232–235. doi: 10.1128/aac.23.2.232. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  90. Washington J. A., 2nd Discrepancies between in vitro activity of and in vivo response to antimicrobial agents. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 1983 Mar;1(1):25–31. doi: 10.1016/0732-8893(83)90029-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  91. Wehrli W. Rifampin: mechanisms of action and resistance. Rev Infect Dis. 1983 Jul-Aug;5 (Suppl 3):S407–S411. doi: 10.1093/clinids/5.supplement_3.s407. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  92. Weinstein M. P., Stratton C. W., Ackley A., Hawley H. B., Robinson P. A., Fisher B. D., Alcid D. V., Stephens D. S., Reller L. B. Multicenter collaborative evaluation of a standardized serum bactericidal test as a prognostic indicator in infective endocarditis. Am J Med. 1985 Feb;78(2):262–269. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(85)90436-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  93. Weinstein M. P., Stratton C. W., Hawley H. B., Ackley A., Reller L. B. Multicenter collaborative evaluation of a standardized serum bactericidal test as a predictor of therapeutic efficacy in acute and chronic osteomyelitis. Am J Med. 1987 Aug;83(2):218–222. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(87)90688-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  94. Wolfson J. S., Swartz M. N. Drug therapy. Serum bactericidal activity as a monitor of antibiotic therapy. N Engl J Med. 1985 Apr 11;312(15):968–975. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198504113121507. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  95. Woolfrey B. F., Lally R. T., Tait K. R. Influence of technical factor variations on serum inhibition and bactericidal titers. J Clin Microbiol. 1986 Jun;23(6):997–1000. doi: 10.1128/jcm.23.6.997-1000.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Clinical Microbiology Reviews are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES